UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly weighing a ban on cigarette sales to young people, taking a page from New Zealand's recent tobacco crackdown. As part of a consumer campaign ahead of elections, Sunak may progressively raise the legal smoking age to ensure those currently 15 and under can never buy cigarettes by 2026. This reflects proposals from a previous government review on phasing out youth smoking. Additionally, single-use vapes may face a ban over youth addiction worries. However, smokers' rights group Forest has criticized the potential youth smoking ban, sparking debate.

Canadian federal ministers have condemned a viral video threatening Hindus, without directly naming it, amid tensions with India. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc affirmed that acts of hate have no place in Canada, stating that Hindus are safe and welcome. The video was released by pro-Khalistan group leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau accused India over a Khalistani extremist's killing. Multiple Canadian politicians voiced support for the Hindu community following the provocative video. The condemnations indicate Canadian efforts to de-escalate tensions despite unresolved differences with India over terrorism allegations.

A new Ipsos poll for Global News finds 40% of Canadians prefer Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre as Prime Minister over incumbent PM Justin Trudeau at 31%. This indicates Conservatives have a high chance of winning the 2025 elections. Poilievre leads on public perception regarding plans on key issues like the economy, healthcare, and housing. On India-Canada tensions over Trudeau's allegations on the Nijjar killing, Poilievre said the PM should 'disclose all facts'. With NDP's Jagmeet Singh (a Khalistan sympathiser and Trudeau’s coalition partner) slipping too, the poll gap suggests Conservatives could gain majority if elections are held today, highlighted by Poilievre's edge over unpopular Trudeau.

The UK's Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for torrential rain as remnants of former hurricanes Lee and Nigel approach Britain. The southeast is expected to be worst hit overnight into Thursday with flooding risks. Warnings are also in place for heavy rain in northwest England and Wales until evening. Scotland faces high wind alerts. It follows intense weekend rainfall that forced closures. Though heavy thunderstorms may continue on Thursday and Friday, they are unlikely to be as severe. The warnings highlight risks as ex-hurricanes Lee and Nigel set to drench parts of the UK with intense downpours.

A World Evangelical Alliance panel discussion on Manipur violence in Geneva has sparked an outcry over alleged interference in India's internal affairs. The event was organised on the sidelines of the 54th UNHRC session. Critics condemned the evangelical body's closing remarks urging India to become “more democratic and inclusive”. Lt Gen (retd) LN Singh, who has been monitoring the Manipur situation, commented "Break-India gang at it again". Panelists blamed the Meitei community, while COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba called the discussion ‘one-sided’ that neglected facts like Kuki attacks on Meitei churches. He highlighted narcoterrorism concerns before being interrupted. The event stirred controversy over the alleged politicization of Manipur's ethnic strife.

Exiled former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif slammed his country for going around begging while India is reaching new heights. He blamed generals and judges for the economic mess. Sharif said Pakistan's PM begs for funds abroad as India reached the moon and hosted G20 meets. He questioned why Pakistan lagged behind India's rise from $1 billion reserves under Vajpayee to $600 billion now. In July, IMF gave debt-ridden Pakistan $1.2 billion in bailout. Set to return on Oct 21 before polls, Sharif attacked Pakistan's downward spiral, contrasting India's emergence as a global power.

A US Marine Corps F-35 fighter jet has gone missing in South Carolina after the pilot ejected safely on Sunday. Military officials are appealing to the public to locate the advanced stealth aircraft, valued at around $80 million each. The jet crashed during a training flight near Charleston, prompting a search of nearby lakes. Local leaders questioned how the military could lose track of the sensitive jet. The incident highlights concerns about the costs and technologies associated with the F-35 program, as the military scrambles to find the missing plane. (U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Charles Plouffe)

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for heavy rain in southwest England and South Wales on Sunday. Up to 10cm of rainfall is expected in the region, raising the risk of flooding and travel disruption. The alert comes as the UK faces widespread storms, with the Met Office also imposing a yellow 'severe thunderstorm' warning across London and southeast England from Sunday afternoon to early Monday. This indicates potential disruption from lightning strikes, hail and strong winds. With two back-to-back weather warnings, parts of the UK seem set for a stormy Sunday with torrential downpours. Residents are advised to prepare for potential floods and travel chaos amid the forecast extreme rainfall.

A Pakistani father, Urfan Sharif, his partner Beinash Batool, and his brother Faisal Shahzad Malik have been charged with the murder of Sharif's 10-year-old daughter Sara in Woking, UK last month. The trio were arrested after being flown back from Pakistan and appeared in court. Sara was found dead in August with extensive injuries. Her father had called police but later fled with Batool, Malik, and Sara's 5 siblings to Pakistan. The children have since been moved to government care while the adults returned to the UK. International agencies assisted in tracking them down. The murder charges authorize police action after a complex investigation spanning two countries. Sara's mother has been informed and is receiving support.

Surveillance footage from Miami International Airport allegedly shows TSA agents stealing money and items from passengers' bags as they passed through security screening. The video appears to show agents unzipping bags, pocketing wallets and other items, and then sending the bags through the scanner. Three TSA officers were arrested in July, but charges against one officer have reportedly been dropped. The video shows the agents working together to distract passengers and target specific bags. TSA said the accused officers have been removed from screening duties pending an investigation. The thefts happened despite extensive security cameras monitoring the checkpoints.